You can safely: replace air filters, clear debris from the outdoor AC unit, check and reset circuit breakers, replace thermostat batteries, clean visible dust from return air vents, and check that vents are open and unblocked. These handle about 30% of the service calls we get.
Never touch refrigerant lines, gas connections, electrical components inside the unit, or the heat exchanger. Gas leaks cause explosions. Refrigerant exposure causes frostbite and chemical burns. Electrical work inside HVAC equipment carries lethal voltage. And any DIY work on internal components voids your manufacturer warranty.
Call immediately if you: smell gas or rotten eggs near your furnace, hear a carbon monoxide detector alarm, see water or ice forming inside the unit, or hear a loud bang followed by the system shutting off. For gas smells, leave the house first and call from outside.
If you're dealing with this issue in the Denver Metro area, the most important thing is getting a proper diagnosis from a NATE-certified technician who understands Colorado's altitude. At 5,000+ feet, HVAC systems behave differently than at sea level — refrigerant pressures, combustion efficiency, and airflow all change with elevation. A technician who doesn't account for altitude can misdiagnose the problem entirely. On Time Heat & Air has been serving the Front Range since 2013 with same-day service, upfront pricing, and no overtime fees for emergency calls. Call (720) 527-0668 for a diagnosis.
Colorado's climate creates unique HVAC challenges that homeowners in other states don't face. Our dry air, intense UV exposure, extreme temperature swings (it's not unusual to see 60°F days followed by 20°F nights), and hail storms all take a toll on heating and cooling equipment. Systems here work harder and fail in different ways than identical systems at sea level.
Brighton, where we're based, sits at 4,984 feet. Denver is at 5,280 feet. Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster — they're all above 5,000 feet. That altitude affects everything from gas pressure in your furnace to refrigerant charge in your AC to the amount of air your blower motor needs to move. Every system we install or repair is calibrated specifically for Front Range conditions.
We're licensed in 8 Colorado counties with active, verifiable license numbers displayed on our website. Our technicians are NATE certified — the highest certification in the HVAC industry. And we've maintained a 5.0 Google rating across 70+ reviews because we show up on time, diagnose honestly, price upfront, and fix it right the first time.
NATE Certified · Licensed in 8 Counties · Same-Day Service